How to Convert JPG to PNG (and PNG Back to JPG)
Sep 1, 2026 · Idea2Grow · 1 min read
To convert JPG to PNG: add the image to a JPG to PNG converter and download the result. To go back, use PNG to JPG. Both run in your browser. The more useful question is which direction you actually need.
JPG → PNG: what it does
You get a lossless copy of the image. This does not recover quality the JPG already lost — that detail is gone for good. What it does give you: a format that won't lose any more quality with each save, and a canvas you can later add transparency to. Convert this direction when the image is heading into repeated editing, or into a design where you'll knock out the background. File size will go up, often several times over for a photo — that's PNG being lossless, working as intended.
PNG → JPG: what it does
You get a much smaller file, at the cost of some detail and any transparency (which flattens to a solid background, usually white). Convert this direction when a PNG photo is too heavy for a website or an email, and it doesn't need transparency.
Quick guide
| Use | Format |
|---|---|
| Photographs, web images, email attachments | JPG |
| Logos, icons, screenshots, diagrams | PNG |
| Anything needing a transparent background | PNG |
| Image you'll edit and re-save many times | PNG |
For the fuller picture including WebP, see PNG vs JPG vs WebP: which format should you use.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a JPG to PNG?
Add the JPG to a JPG-to-PNG converter and download the PNG. The conversion runs in your browser using the Canvas API — the image isn't uploaded anywhere.
Does converting JPG to PNG improve quality?
No. JPG compression already discarded some detail, and converting to PNG can't bring it back — you just get a lossless copy of the already-compressed image, usually at a larger file size. Convert to PNG for what PNG offers going forward (lossless further edits, transparency you add later), not to 'fix' a JPG.
Should I use JPG or PNG?
JPG for photographs and anything going on the web where file size matters. PNG for logos, icons, screenshots, line art, and any image that needs a transparent background or will be edited repeatedly without accumulating compression loss.
Why is my PNG so much bigger than the JPG?
PNG is lossless, so it stores full detail for every pixel. For a photograph that's a lot of data — a photographic PNG is commonly 3-10x the size of the equivalent JPG. That's expected, not a bug.